May 20, 2007

Jazz Cabaret

This last Friday (the 18th) Sprague High School hosted its 3rd annual Jazz Cabaret and Silent Auction. We had a new venue this year (as opposed to the commons at our school). Our local is known as the "Trinity Ballroom" and was amazing. Bamboo dance floor, brick walls, and chandeliers all around. I got there a bit early to help set up for the auction and get the sound equipment ready. After that it was an evening full of serving drinks and listening to live jazz.

There were three groups performing: The Sprague band, the local middle school band, and then a combo group made up of the directors from the two schools. Here's a nice shot of some of the Sprague band members. . .

And here are Dylan, Emily, and Ethan (my fellow drink servers) deep in thought. Not sure what they're thinking about.

Our director, Mr. Howard, was pressed into service for the Crossler Jazz Band because they were without a bass player. While he was warming up and tuning I took, in my opinion, an incredible picture. Perfect backdrop and everything. He even said that he wished he could go back in time and have it be his senior picture.

I also got a nice picture of Conner Plant playing a tenor sax solo.

And now for the "Michael Snively is a klutz" story. I was collecting empty plates and dirty dishes on my tray about halfway into the evening. As I turned to walk back to the kitchen I got bumped and one of the dessert cups from my tray fell off. It managed to fall in such a way that it poured desert all down the top of my leg in a perfect line of bright red strawberry goodness. I was wearing khakis. I looked down at my leg and sighed. I tried to wipe it off but it was really obvious that the syrup was going to be on my leg for the remainder of the night. Trying to avoid embarrassment, I entered problem solving mode. Soon enough, I got a brilliant idea. The centerpieces of the tables consisted of floating candles and glass sitting on a red square of fabric. I took the red fabric from one of the tables and folded it in half. Then. . .

Voila! Instant waiter attire! I was so proud of myself, you couldn't see the spill at all and I looked very official. I guess I'm just cool like that.

Overall, the evening went very well. A few of us went out afterwards to eat some french fries and pie before I went home and fell asleep almost instantly. I give the evening a 5/5 for coolness.